Oklahoma State University Athletics
Hardison Makes Move to Offensive Side of the Ball
July 16, 2003 | Cowboy Football
With his lone start last year coming in the double tight end set against Texas A&M, Matt Hardison looks to see some more playing time this year after a move to the offensive line.
“I was a blocking tight end, so the change wasn’t really that hard,” Hardison said. “The hardest part was learning the pass protection instead of going out for a pass.”
This 6-6, 300-pound senior came to OSU two years ago from Northwestern Oklahoma State College. He wanted to see if he could be competitive at Division I football.
“I picked (Oklahoma State) becase it looked like the program was going to start switching around when Coach Miles came in,” said Hardison.
Things have done just that, with the team going from 4-7 in 2001 to an 8-5 season with a Houston Bowl victory last year. Even more than that, a 250-pound tight end has jumped up to playing the left tackle position. “I have put on 50 pounds since two-a-days last year,” said Hardison.
The countdown has started to the first game at Nebraska, where it looks as though Hardison will have his second start for OSU and his first at his new position. Even with it being his first start at left tackle, he understands the importance of that game.
“The Nebraska game is huge,” Hardison said. “If we win that game, we have an excellent chance at being 5-0 going into the rest of the conference season, and who knows where that will lead.”
Oklahoma State’s offensive line last year tied for the fewest sacks allowed in the Big 12 conference. With three returning starters and Hardison anchoring the left side, it looks to improve upon that feat.
“With Sam (Mayes), Ben (Buie), and Chris (Akin) all being returning starters, that gives us a big advantage going into the season,” said Hardison.
Coming in as a walk-on tight end, with no assurance of a scholarship, and with only one catch last year for four yards, Hardison is still new to the attention he’s being given.
“This is why I came to Oklahoma State,” Hardison said. “I felt like I could do something here.”
